Coming in at close to equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the 2020 Château Malartic-Lagravière is another brilliant 2020 Pessac-Léognan with loads to offer. Expressive notes of red and black fruit, sweet tobacco, lead pencil, and camphor all emerge on the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a forward, seamless, sexy profile that already offers pleasure. The tannins are present yet integrated and perfectly ripe, it's balanced, and I suspect it will evolve for a solid two decades or more. Tasted twice. The blend is 50.4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47.8% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc that hit 14.2% natural alcohol.
95 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Mar 2023)
The 2020 Malartic Lagravière is fabulous. Dark, ample and explosive, the 2020 offers an exciting mélange of dark fruit, lavender, spice and licorice. Even with all of its obvious size, the 2020 retains terrific freshness and plenty of delineation.
95 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Feb 2023)
Blackberries and licorice with blackcurrants. Mushroom, too. Medium to full body. Creamy and soft tannins that are fine textured. Delicious finish. Racy, polished and sophisticated. Drink after 2026.
95 points, James Suckling (May 2023)
Huge depth, such beautiful texture running right through the palate, love the brambled juicy blueberry and blackberry fruits, crunchy and concentrated. Excellent quality. 65% new oak, harvest from 9 to 24 September, Eric Boislsenot consultant.
94 points, Jane Anson (Feb 2023)
Composed of 50.4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47.8% Merlot, and 1.8% Cabernet Franc, the 2020 Malartic Lagraviere Rouge is deep garnet-purple in color, it strolls out with confident cassis and blackberry pie scents, leading to wafts of cedar, underbrush, and bay leaves. The medium to full-bodied palate is tightly wound, with vibrant black fruits and a grainy texture, finishing long and refreshing.
93 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent (Mar 2023)